Back to search results »

Back to search page »

Warrnambool Orderly Room- Warrnambool Historic Area

Location Kepler Street,, WARRNAMBOOL VIC 3280 - Property No B0322 File Number B0322 Level State

[1/1] B0322 Orderly Room Kepler St

Statement of Significance

The Warrnambool Orderly Room and residence are important at the State level, because the first section of this building, designed by Shire Engineer A Kerr and built in 1868 is one of the earliest and most elegant of the volunteer defence association buildings in Victoria, and the various buildings make a significant contribution to Warrnambool's notable precinct of 19th century public buildings.
The Warrnambool Volunteer Corps was established in 1859, the site reserved in 1868, and the building, erected by public subscription, opened on New Years Day, 1869 with a grand ball. The substantial structure, the largest hall in Warrnambool at the time, was constructed of local stone, with a rendered facade in a restrained Italianate classical style with Mannerist elements. The paired pilasters and large pedimented gable end provide a neo-classical frame for a pair of arched-pedimented wondows and a most impressive central entry featuring paired Tuscan columns supporting a triangular pediment with a broken bottom chord. A range of ancillary rooms were added perhaps soon after, also constructed of stone, across the rear, demonstrating the growth of the facility. A masonry gun room and offices was added on the north side, and a simple masonry residence built adjacent, probably in the 1880s, since they both employ the distincvtive window surrouds of the drill halls designed by S E Bindley of the Public Works Department across Victoria in the 1880s.
Classified: 01/03/2001
Part of Warrnambool Historic Area. Classified 12/11/1979. See B4538